Investments of up to $6 million from the governments of Canada and Ontario are planned for market development. Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), Canada and Ontario's federal and provincial governments have pledged up to $6 million to support expanding existing Agri-Food Products companies into new domestic and international markets. The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) will serve as the channel for this support. The purpose of the new initiative Grow Ontario Market is to assist food and beverage processors, agricultural companies, and agri-food sector groups in developing strategies to enter untapped markets. The 2018 introduction of the Grow Ontario Market cost-sharing program. Some to increase demand for Ontario's food exports. These actions and initiatives can also qualify as acceptable projects. "By supporting the diversification of products and markets, we are contributing to the growth of Ontario's Agri-Food Products industry," Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, the federal minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, said. Producers and processors will benefit from these investments as they adapt to the ever-evolving demands of the market. They'll be a boon to the industry as a whole. "Our government's new Grow Ontario Strategy has set out ambitious expansion targets to expand the province's Agri-Food Products industry," said Lisa Thompson, Ontario's Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs. "There is a lot of promise in the agri-food industry, and this program is meant to help qualifying enterprises develop into new sectors, both locally and globally. The government is dedicated to providing the resources small and large Agri-Food Products companies need to thrive. Cost sharing of up to 50% is available under the Grow Ontario Market Initiative for qualified expenses up to a maximum of $60,000 per company for producers and food and beverage processors and $125,000 for sector organizations. On May 19, 2023, eligible businesses can start applying for funding through this initiative. Under the new Grow Ontario Market Initiative, the Minister of Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Trade for the province of Ontario, Vic Fedeli, has indicated that the ministry is "pleased" with its support for the province's food and beverage processors, various farm companies, and agri-food associations. This support is being provided by the province. It's called the "Ontario Market Expansion Plan" (in English only). "We continue to develop emerging markets for Ontario products to improve our long-term financial outlook, provide favorable employment prospects, and bring fresh investment possibilities to the province by providing ideal circumstances for businesses to grow and succeed," the government of Ontario said. We accomplish this by facilitating the conditions necessary for commercial enterprises to expand and prosper. To help businesses grow and succeed, we provide them with "by assisting them in growing their operations and reaching greater achievement," This program was developed following consultations with businesses and organizations operating in the agricultural and food sector. It builds on other steps our government has taken to encourage the sector's expansion, such as sending an Agri-Food Products trade mission to Japan and Vietnam in February 2023, led by the Minister of Agriculture and Food. In addition, it comes on the heels of investments totaling $22 million made through the Agri-tech Innovation Program and $10 million made through the Food Security and Supply Chain Fund.   The Sustainable CAP is an investment of $3.5 billion over five years (2023-2028) by the federal government and the governments of the provinces and territories to improve the competitiveness, innovation, and resilience of the agriculture, Agri-Food Products, and agri-based goods sector. This includes $1 billion in all federal programs and activities as well as a $2.5 billion commitment that will be cost-shared by the federal government at a ratio of 60 percent and by the provinces and territories at a ratio of 40 percent for programs that will be devised and implemented by the provinces and territories.

See our Blog